Terminal-post connecter



Aug. 28, 1928. 1,682,221

W. E. GOSSLING TERMINAL POST CONNECTER Filed July 50- 1920 Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER E. GOSSLING, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PREST-O-LITE STORAGE BATTERY CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

TERMINAL-POST GONNEGTER.

Application filed July 30, 1920. Serial No. 400,009.

This invention relates to devices for connecting the terminal posts of storage batteries to cables or other conductors whlch transmit current to or from the battery.

The object of the invention is to provide a form of connection which will enable the connection to be made or broken with a minimum of manipulation, and which will be at the same time of cheap and simple construction and reliable in operation.

These objects are attained by following the principles of construction disclosed in the following description, of which the annexed drawings form a part. In the drawings Fig. 1 shows in perspective an embodiment of my invention,-

Fig. 2 shows a plan of the connecter of Fig. 1, as viewed from above,

Fig. 3 shows a side elevation, and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but shows the connection in its applied operative position as hereafter described.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises a body ortion 5 which is roughly tubular, and whic has projections or jaws 6,-6 formed integrally therewith. The tubular body portion is adapted to receive the cable terminal while the jaws 6, 6 almost completely surround an aperture 7 adapted to receive the terminal post 8 of a battery. To enable the jaws 6, 6 to be contracted to firmly seize the terminal post 8, the tubular bod portion 5 is provided with a slot 9 exten ing to the axis of its bore, thus forming from jaws 6 and the slotted tubular portion 5 a bifurcated clamping member for gripping the post 8.

The longitudinal slot 9 that extends through diametricallyopposite walls of the passage or opening 7 provides separating spaces between the aws 6, such slot being in a plane intersecting the axis of the bore in the tubular body 5. The jaws 6 are thus separated at diametrically-opposite sides of the opening 7 and may be adjusted toward one another by the conductor means that is inserted in'the tubular portion 5.

As shown in the drawing, the bore of the tubular body 5 consists of two differently tapered portions or sockets 10 and 11 adapted to receive respectively, the correspondingly tapered cable terminals commonly used on the positive and negative cables. The cable terminal is here shown with a threaded recess 12 into which is inserted the usual screw 13 having the head 14. An enlarged portion 15 attached to the screw-head engages the end of the tubular body portion 5. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the bifurcated clamping member readily slips over the terminal post with which the clamp is intended to be used. On turning the screw-head 14, the cable terminal is caused to approach the enlarged portion 15 of the screw-head and the jaws 6, 6 are put under compression. This results in a deformation of the body portion 5 (which is formed from a plastic lead alloy as is usual in storage-battery connecters) and the jaws 6, 6 are drawn together, diminishing the slot 9 and contractin aperture 7. The post 8 is thereby gripped in the clamp with a compres sign limited only by the strength of the materials of the clamp. That part of the socket 10 below the slot 9, in Fig. 2, has suflicient clearance to allow the jaws to be drawn together the slightamount necessary to grip the post 8.

In the preferred form of my invention, the cable terminal forms a part of the screwthreaded combination employed in forcing the jaws 6, 6 together. It will be obvious, however, that this feature of the invention is subject to modification, and my invention includes also clamps in which the device for applying compression to close the aperture containing the terminal post, and the means for attaching the cable to the clamp, are independent.

- I claim:

A clamp terminal for binding a conductor to a storage battery terminal post, such clamp terminal comprising a body having abore provided with oppositely tapering sockets adapted to receive tapering conductors, said bore having aslot extending partially through its wall transversely of its axis, separate relatively adjustable .members extending laterally from adjacent said slot and adapted to clamp a storage battery terminal post, and tapering binding means fitting one socket of said bore and adapted to secure a tapering conductor in the other socket ofsaid bore and cooperating with such conductor and sockets to adjust said members to clamp a terminal post. In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

WALTER E; GOSSLING. 

